Join us December 17th as we recognize Arkansas law enforcement with the 2026 Officer of the Year Awards. Lunch will open at 11 a.m. at the North Little Rock Event Center with the program beginning at noon. Family and friends are welcome to attend and there is no limit on guests.
PLEASE NOTE THE NEW VENUE FOR 2026: North Little Rock Event Center
| 9:00 – 9:15 a.m. | Opening Welcome
Attorney General Tim Griffin and Colonel Natalie Brown |
| 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. | Ethical Use of Support Staff (Ethics Hour)
Abby Brenneman, Executive Director, Arkansas Access to Justice Commission and Foundation |
| 10:15 – 10:20 a.m. | Break |
| 10:20 – 11:20 a.m. | Legal Practice and AI
Kevin Lee, General Counsel, Office of Attorney General Tim Griffin |
| 11:20 – 11:40 a.m. | Break/Grab boxed lunches |
| 11:40 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. | Recent Updates in Veterans Law
Zach Baumgarten, Director, Veterans Legal Services Clinic and Managing Attorney, UALR Bowen School of Law Legal Clinic
|
| 12:40 – 12:45 p.m. | Break |
| 12:45 – 1:45 p.m. | The First Amendment’s Renaissance
Captain Lanny Richmond, Attorney-Advisor, Arkansas National Guard |
| 1:45 – 1:50 p.m. | Break |
| 1:50 – 2:50 p.m. | Modern Fourth Amendment Developments and Technology
John Wilkerson, General Counsel and Legislative Director, Arkansas Municipal League |
Register today to join us Tuesday, November 17th, at the Fort Smith Convention Center for the 15th annual summit. This event is FREE and open to the public.
The Summit features five breakout tracks:
Agenda:
| 9:00 – 9:15 a.m.
Hall B |
Welcome Remarks
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin Tom Fisher, Arkansas Drug Director |
| 9:15 – 10:15 a.m.
Hall B |
Plenary Session *
Addressing the Opioid Crisis on Children and Families Alicia Allen, Director, National Center for Opioid and Addiction Research, Arkansas Children’s Research Institute; Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences |
| 10:15 – 10:30 a.m. | BREAK |
| 10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Hall B |
Plenary Session *
What’s New with Certified Recovery Housing in Arkansas Arkansas Alliance of Recovery Residences |
| 11:00 – 11:15 a.m. | BREAK |
| 11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Hall A-1
Hall A-2
Hall A-3
Meeting Room 4-6 |
Summit Breakout Track Session 1
Clinical Track * Alternative Treatments Michael Mancino, Psychiatrist, Center for Addiction Services and Treatment, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Counseling/Recovery Track Restore Hope Janet Camp, Director of Judicial Service, Restore Hope Paul Chapman, Executive Director, Restore Hope Criminal Justice Track Threat Assessments / Emerging Drugs Tom Fisher, Arkansas Drug Director Education/Prevention FREE-C Faulkner County Drug Court Program Megan Copeland, Project Manager and Peer Specialist Consultant, FREE-C; Lead Peer Recovery Support Specialist, Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network Kim Shuler, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network; Harm Reduction Consultant, FREE-C Hon. Chuck Clawson, Circuit Judge, 20th Judicial Circuit, Third Division, Arkansas Phil Burr, NCPRSS, PWLE, Program Director, Faulkner County Court, FREE-C |
| 12:15 – 1:15 p.m.
Hall B |
NETWORKING BUFFET LUNCH WITH VENDORS / NALOXONE TRAINING |
| 1:15 – 2:15 p.m.
Hall A-1
Hall A-2
Hall A-3
|
Summit Breakout Track Session 2
Clinical Track * combined with Education/Prevention Track Regulatory Update John Clay Kirtley, Executive Director, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy SBIRT: Screening for Risky Behaviors, Brief Intervention, and Referral for Treatment Kim Shuler, LCSW, Chief Executive Officer, Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network; Harm Reduction Consultant, FREE-C Caitlyn Johnson, LCSW, Lead Clinical Trainer, Arkansas Behavioral Health Integration Network Counseling/Recovery Track The Importance of Connecting Treatment with Ongoing Recovery Support Casey Copeland, Director of Recovery Services, Arkansas Department of Human Services Brad Lovan, Executive Director, SOZO Addiction Recovery Center Criminal Justice Track Treat it Like Murder: The Investigation and Prosecution of Aggravated Death by Delivery Joshua Robinson, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, 19th Judicial District West Trey Robinson, Resident Agent in Charge, U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration |
| 2:15 – 2:30 p.m. | BREAK |
| 2:30 – 3:30 p.m.
Hall B |
Plenary Session *
Behind the Bright Packaging: Smoke Shop Drugs David Potter, Regulatory Enforcement Director, Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration |
| 3:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Hall B |
Plenary Session *
Recovery Stages and How it Relates to Treatment Kira Kennedy, LCSW, LADAC, MAC, Substance Use Services Director, Office of Substance Abuse and Mental Health, Arkansas Department of Human Services |
|
4:30 – 4:45 p.m. Hall B |
Closing Remarks
John Clay Kirtley, Executive Director, Arkansas State Board of Pharmacy |